The Observation Deck

We are about to find out.

Did I miss how we are about to find out. What should I be looking for...

Jim DeVito wrote:Did I miss how we are about to find out. What should I be looking for...

Post no whine before its time.

This transition period might offer a window of opportunity to reorganize the development department, the building department and to rethink the City's funding of Lakewood Alive!.

Here are some interesting questions asked by Charlie Page:

"I agree that they should be accountable for taxpayer funds received from the City. When I read LA’s application for CDBG funds and they expect to create 100 jobs as a result, I’d like to know where those 100 jobs are and what specific actions were done to create those jobs.

In reading their annual report, it feels like I’m reading a news summary of what happened in downtown Lakewood rather than what LA has done over the last year (outside of their fund raisers and Light Up Lakewood).

I’d like to know what relationships they have forged with businesses and the results of their relationship building activities.

How much of a role did they play in redoing the Bailey Building? How much of a role did they play in landing Panera and Five Guys?

How much of a role do they play in promoting local businesses on the national/regional level?

Do existing local businesses even go to them for help?

In short, I’d like to know how their actions have translated to creating a vibrant economic community. I’m not bashing LA, just would like less fluff and more detail in their annual report."

The annual report really says nothing. Lakewood Alive is not obligated to answer the questions Charlie asked but they should.

Bill Call wrote:The annual report really says nothing. Lakewood Alive is not obligated to answer the questions Charlie asked but they should.

I used to work for a big 4 accounting firm. There would be talk of new clients and who was working on them and every once in a while I would be involved in the pursuit. Regardless of whether I was involved or not, the talk of new business was energizing.

I feel that LA is missing an opportunity to create that same type of energy here in Lakewood, if they’d only let us in on what they’re doing to bring and/or keep businesses here. As it is now, I’m getting the impression that LA is basically reporting what has happened instead of making things happen. If more knew how LA is making things happen I think they would generate more support for their cause.

Hi Charlie....

Anyone who has been here for more than a couple years, paying attention, knows why Lakewood Alive does not post here, seeking dialog, or for whatever.

“if they’d only let us in on what they’re doing “

Back when LA sought to do EXACTLY that, seek input about their campaign to define a Lakewood “downtown” by way of signage options, they got absolutely trashed by one particular (very very frequent and popular) poster here. Unmercifully trashed. Burned at the stake. Piled on. This particular poster continues to refer to “DowntowN” (years later) as a means to belittle LA efforts.

It was so bad that the moderator took that thread, separated out the LA posts, and put them “below the fold” into a forum called “Lakewood Alive – The Discussion” where they would not be seen. Then the displaced posts disappeared entirely, mysteriously, even though the forum still exists, “locked” and with no posts, below the fold. Not just censorship, which is alleged does not happen here as long as real names are used, but self-censorship. Unreal....

Seeing what I saw, knowing what I know, if I were Lakewood Alive I would do the very best job I could for Lakewood citizenry, and avoid this place like the plague. Which to me appears to be exactly what they are doing.

Tim

PS to Lakewood Alive.... Thanks for your efforts. There are a couple things I would have done differently (e.g. Lois Moss) but on the whole I think your efforts on behalf of Lakewood and particularly the definition of a “downtown,” by way of events and definition, will benefit Lakewood in the years to come.

Tim Liston wrote:Hi Charlie....

Anyone who has been here for more than a couple years, paying attention, knows why Lakewood Alive does not post here, seeking dialog, or for whatever.

Tim

That is absolutely not true.
To my knowledge only a very small handful of people know why.
But that is not the reason.

.

OK Jim so then please tell us what the “small handful” know that I don't. Why does LA no longer post here? Please don't be elusive and ethereal and all that. Please be really straightforward. Tell me what's going on.....

And I note that you didn't address my assertion of the elimination of the many posts LO posts relating to the LA signage campaign. Where did those DOZENS of posts go? I presume you know how and why those posts disappeared from this forum. This is your blog after all. You run this thing. Tell us what happened to all those post that once were here and posted but are now gone. Please....

Tim Liston wrote:OK Jim so then please tell us what the “small handful” know that I don't. Why does LA no longer post here? Please don't be elusive and ethereal and all that. Please be really straightforward. Tell me what's going on.....

Tim, I have no need to go into it. It is something out of my hands and I will
leave it at that. Maybe other people will care to answer who know, maybe they do not.
The is little point in goading me into this discussion. I'm just telling you I will not
allow the Deck, or the members to be the reason, when they are not.

Tim, you and I rarely agree for a long time on many, many things. We also agree. I hope
you would back me that 1) my personal views do not filter into the running nor the equality
in this project. 2) If you agree or not, and I can I am open to discussion, and willing to
help. I believe this is true with many of the members of this project including you. This
project was started for needed open dialogue with real people.

And I note that you didn't address my assertion of the elimination of the many posts LO posts relating to the LA signage campaign. Where did those DOZENS of posts go? I presume you know how and why those posts disappeared from this forum. This is your blog after all. You run this thing. Tell us what happened to all those post that once were here and posted but are now gone. Please....
OK Jim so then please tell us what the “small handful” know that I don't. Why does LA no longer post here? Please don't be elusive and ethereal and all that. Please be really straightforward. Tell me what's going on.....

And I note that you didn't address my assertion of the elimination of the many posts LO posts relating to the LA signage campaign. Where did those DOZENS of posts go? I presume you know how and why those posts disappeared from this forum. This is your blog after all. You run this thing. Tell us what happened to all those post that once were here and posted but are now gone. Please....

OK, I am happy to explain this again. The only posts that have been deleted from this
forum 5 that belonged to Joe Milan and those concerned RTA. I had written over them by
mistake as my "authority allowed me to do" I immediately contacted Joe Milan, and asked
if he could put them back up. I also had that ability taken away from me, so that it would
not happen again.

During routine maintenance one of our founders deleted everything prior to January last
year. THE BACKUP WAS IMMEDIATELY PLACED ON LINE, though we have not been able to
combine them. The problem grows daily but we are restoring the Databases.

YOU CAN ACCESS THEM ALL RIGHT NOW AT: http://lakewoodobserver.com/deck they are
there, frozen in time for searching. Some of the topics, have made it back as they restore
the files. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PRESERVING ALL DISCUSSIONS on the Deck. Even the
ones that find fault with the project or me.

We are hiding nothing Tim. It is simply not my style. If you want to see those threads,
simple search for one of the key words.

Finally this is not my BLOG, and I do not "run this thing." This thing is being run by Jim
DeVito, and we are extremely hands off. I believe he is working with other groups that have
some ideas for the Deck. He was given 99.9% free reign over his decisions, just no
dumping forums or messages. No of us knew Jim when we started, he was working on
another Lakewood project, which he gave up when he joined with us. As you know this
offer has been made to others.

I would hope the city see it as our blog, and a place for open discussion that does get
heated, does get a little squirrely but at the end of the day, all learn a little, and share a
little. That has been the lifeblood of this project since day one.

Tim as always, thanks for participating.

peace

Tim Liston wrote:Anyone who has been here for more than a couple years, paying attention, knows why Lakewood Alive does not post here, seeking dialog, or for whatever.

When I wrote the questions above, I had no inclination that LA would post here on the Deck. I think someone would have to give Mary Anne Crampton a blindfold and cigarette should she ever post here again. I was thinking LA should add the info I mentioned above to their annual report and even their weekly emails.

I think what you are asking for is an open conversation from LA and more transparency and specifics from LA concerning their annual reports. I think that is what everyone has been asking for three years or so. They always referred everyone to the Guidestar website that all nonprofits place their financial information. I don't think that LA has posted their financial information on that website since 2008. And at the last time their was link to their 990's was for 2008 on their website.

I wonder what happened in 2009 and 2010?

I wonder why it is not public information?

hhhhhmmmmmmmmm...........

Charlie Page wrote:

Tim Liston wrote:Anyone who has been here for more than a couple years, paying attention, knows why Lakewood Alive does not post here, seeking dialog, or for whatever.

When I wrote the questions above, I had no inclination that LA would post here on the Deck. I think someone would have to give Mary Anne Crampton a blindfold and cigarette should she ever post here again. I was thinking LA should add the info I mentioned above to their annual report and even their weekly emails.

When I asked questions I'm just asking questions. I think downtown looks good and I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved but I still have questions about the sources and uses of LA's funds. I'm not implying nor do I think that anyone is doing anything wrong.

The annual report for 2009 shows the following revenue:

Community Development Block Grant: $53,719
Grant Awards: $37,638
Business Contributions: $46,858
Individual Contributions: $9,880
Event Revenue: $25,775
Corporate Sponsorship: $21,100

Expenses:

Downtown Revitalization: $107,949
Signage design: $32,120
Housing: $20,326
Management and general: $16,283
Fundraising: $16,499

The revenue side seems pretty clear but the expense side is a little vague. No salaries? No benefits? No rent? $32,120 for sign design?

Anyway, Im only interested in this because the City spends about $1.6 million in community development and Lakewood Alive spends about $200,000 so that's $1.8 million per year on community development. Are we getting our monies worth?

Should Lakewood Alive manage all of the Cities development functions as a subcontractor? If so, what's the mission?

Should the building and housing department be part of the development department?

Should the building department be seen as a profit center and "business" assistance center?

A 501c3 like Detroit Shoreway managed to get tens of millions of funding for the Detroit Shoreway area. Can Lakewood do more? Are our efforts dilluted? Would one development/building/community relations department be more efficient?

Don't take offense, I'm just asking questions.

Buried in the bowels of the budget is the statement that the City is heading to binding arbitration with some of its collective bargaining units. That seems worth pursuing. What does that mean for the budget?

Our new governor is said to be looking at changing those collective bargaining laws and binding arbitration. Shouldn't the City be at the table?
What about the Councils governmental affairs committee? Shouldn't have one?

Like I said, just asking questions.

Instead of the annual report produced by LA, I would like to see the 2009, 990 for more specifics. I like you would like to more specifics about the expense side. Salaries, rent and benefits also concern me.

Bill,

All your questions are worth discussion and valid. That why it would be helpful to LA as part of the discussion. We are all trying to work to make our community better and more efficient. It would be helpful to know what they really do. I do not question the volunteers who take so much time out of their busy lives to help this organization. I.....like you...would like to know if it is the best use of our meager monies or if this could be done in a better way.

Do you know how much CBDG monies they got for this year? I have not taken the time to look that up.

thanks for the discussion!

Rhonda

Charlie Page wrote:I think someone would have to give Mary Anne Crampton a blindfold and cigarette should she ever post here again.

Charlie

If it is even her choice to do so.

FWIW

Charlie/Bill

I think Bill has the right idea, how do we judge effectiveness if we have nothing to go
by for the measuremeCBDGnt.

This is what is so nuts. Ask the city what they gave and they will quote the CBDG
money and nothing else. No numbers for banners, signage, closing streets, using
public buildings, and all of the other items that might go into it.

Not a big deal, but as Charlie and Bill have both said, it would be helpful in judging if
there is success of any kind. What if they do deserve more money? What if we need
and we do a CDC, or a CID like is being formed by the Emerald Canyon Historic District?

Should a group that is soley based on economic development handle housing? Should
housing be spun off? Can they all come out of the same room or not. Should the city
move all it back to City Hall where it was doing quite nicely until pressude to move it
out was put on by LCPI which does not even exist after the takeover? Can a PAC even
become a EDC or CDC.

To say you are above being examined, or go look and try to find it, or even ridicule
and belittle those asking, seems a little over the top. Then there is the strange
power they seem to fles over elected officials... When you look at the 10+ year history
of LA and/or some on the board it gets very troubling. How does one even get on the
board, who votes? How are directors chosen? Is this public? Part of the city? Part of the
schools? And how much do they receieve from all of their sources?

$30,000 out of pocket, they are a hell of a deal. Can we say the same at $400,000?


.

Rhonda loje wrote:I wonder what happened in 2009 and 2010?

I wonder why it is not public information?

hhhhhmmmmmmmmm...........

Well they can't post 2010 since 2010 isn't over yet so they can't have filed the 990. As for 2009, I'm pretty sure Guidestar data is provided from the IRS, not necessarily the non-profits themselves, so I'm not sure LakewoodAlive is hiding anything, it could just be that Guidestar hasn't processed everything yet?

Have you contacted them directly and asked for a copy of the 2009 990?

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Well they can't post 2010 since 2010 isn't over yet so they can't have filed the 990. As for 2009, I'm pretty sure Guidestar data is provided from the IRS, not necessarily the non-profits themselves, so I'm not sure LakewoodAlive is hiding anything, it could just be that Guidestar hasn't processed everything yet?

Have you contacted them directly and asked for a copy of the 2009 990?

Bryan
Knowing the people in this discussion and knowing members of LakewoodAlive, I am hoping
that no one believes anything "bad" happened to any funds. Mary Anne, Shannon, and Jay
would never do anything illegal per say.

However I have looked at their filings, and it is hard to figure out, and again I am not saying
anything was filed illegally. However I for one would say they and us would all benefit from
hearing a plan if one exists. I believe all might get behind this group if we could actually
see the pluses and the minuses. One thing I know is that every city needs a CDC as a place
to dump CDBG monies, and look for grants. However the difference between CDC, EDC,
CID, and Community Groups are night and day.

A good example is in housing. I have seen first hand some of the work of the LA Housing
Program, and they are working miracles with very little money. Should that be spun off
into a CDC, or pure housing group so that they could do more? Is there a conflict between
and EDC and housing? One seeks economic development from low cost property, the other
should be looking to save and rebuild property to retain value.

LakewoodAlive serves a purpose, and the VOLUNTEERS are amazing and good Lakewoodites,
I do not see where it is wrong to see if it could be better, or done differently. Right now
the Lakewood Observer will be put to the test with the arrival of the Wallmart of Civic
Journalism, and as you so aptly put it the other night. WE raise our game and deliver
more for less, or get left behind. While I could bitch about outsiders, the real thing is
looking to see how we compliment each other, if we can work together and who serves
their customers best. Right?

.